Learning the ROPES is an exciting and fun way to develop focused teamwork, productive relationships, and problem solving skills on a Team Craft outdoor ropes challenge course.

A ropes course has three main activity areas to focus team effort. Most groups focus on a series of fifty minute Team Initiative Activities. These are intriguing and fun problem solving tasks that require total team involvement to accomplish the goal. Team Craft's approach turns every initiative into a scenario, or open ended situation, that is described in everyone's program guide. The initial challenge is for the team members to figure out what they need to do. What's the goal? How will we know when we're finished? What are the resources, constraints, and required skills?

The team then continues problem solving by brainstorming solutions, identifying a preferred course of action, assigning roles and responsibilities, and implementing the strategy within a set time frame. The Team Craft instructor observes team process, comments as appropriate, and facilitates a discussion following each activity. The discussions encourage open communication about the effectiveness of everyone's involvement. Teams typically identify parallels between the process used on the course and how they approach problems with similar dynamics in the work place. When the team is successful, members identify qualities to apply at work. When they are less than effective, they consider alternative approaches they can try out in later activities. Participants are encouraged to track personal observations in the journal section of their program guide to reference during action planning at the end of the program.

The Low ROPES activities involve team members in challenges that elicit greater physical effort and emotional energy. These activities take place on cables and other props a few feet off the ground. Trust and one-to-one interaction between teammates is emphasized. Balance, mutual support, sharing control and coaching for shared success are necessary to be a successful team in these activities.

The High ROPES events take team members to new heights literally and figuratively. With total team support and involvement, participants work though a series of climbing and balancing activities up to thirty-five feet in the air. Each person selects their personal level of challenge and then experiences the thrill of reaching beyond perceived limits while achieving their personal goal, with total team involvement and support.

Logistics:
Program Length: Our classic Learning the ROPES program is a three day format that can be conducted at once or segmented over several weeks. Shorter formats run from one-half to two days.

Group Size: Activity teams typically are 8 to 12 members. Smaller teams and multiple activity teams can easily be accommodated.

Program Locations: Our Austin program sites are at The Hills Fitness Center and Barton Creek Resort, both in the West Lake Hills area, just outside Austin. Our San Antonio area site is at Guadalupe River Ranch. Other sites are accessible across North America.

For more information go to Team Building General Information and Team Craft FAQ's (frequently asked questions).

Serious Team Learning that's Fun:
At the Start: Identify the Learning Opportunities

• Introduction to Action Learning and the Values at its foundation
• Useful information about successful teams and things to act on
• Pre-assessment feedback
• Team and individual questions to explore and goals to target

Program Themes & Skills to Practice:
Every ROPES activity typically reflects the group's process. Some activities require some group skills more than others. The following groupings reflect where these skills most often get tapped, given the particular setting.

Group Initiative Activities:

• Goal Setting, problem clarification, and group problem solving
• Effective Communication and resolving different opinions
• Valuing Personal Style Differences
• Sharing leadership and followership within a team
• Role identification and clarification
• Setting and adhering to quality standards
• Celebrating success - learning from experience

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